Switch-stand semaphore mechanism.



F. C. ANDERSON. SWITCH STAND SEMAPHORE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20, mm.

Patented June 1, 1915.

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F. C. ANDERSON.

SWITCH STAND SEMAPHORE MECHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 20. 1913.

L 1 4 15906 Patented June 1, 1915.

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FRANK C. ANDERSON, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR TO AMERICAN VALVE &'

METER COMPANY, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

SWITCH-STAND SEMAPI-IORE MECHANISM.

Application filed November 20, 1913.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, FRANK C. ANDERSON, acitizen of the United States, and a resident of Cincinnati, in thecounty of Hamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Switch- Stand Semaphore Mechanisms, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to semaphore mechanism for switch stands of theskeleton or rotary type, and has for its object the complete change ofthe semaphore arm to clanger position before opening of the switch canbe commenced; and also to lock the semaphore mechanism so that it cannotbe brought back to safety position until the switch has been completelythrown back to its safe position.

My invention consists in the parts and in the details of constructionand arrangement of parts as will hereinafter be more fully described andclaimed.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a general perspective view of a switchstand and semaphore embodying my invention, the parts being in safeposition; Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation of part of the mechanismshowing the switch-operating lever, the semaphore-operating lever inengagement therewith and part of the semaphore connection pivoted to thesemaphore-operating lever; Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section on a linecorresponding to the line g of Fig. 4, showing the construction of thesemaphore mechanism; Fig. 4 is a vertical cross sectional elevation, thesection being 011 a line corresponding to the line 0002 of Fig. 8,showing another view of the semaphore mechanism; Fig. 5 is a verticalcross section on a line corresponding to the line 22 of Fig. 1, throughthe switch stand and semaphore-operating mechanism looking toward theswitch-operating lever; Fig. 6 is a detail perspective view of the upperbracket; and Fig. 7 is a similar view of a modification of the lowerbracket in which the link is reversible on the bracket.

The switch stand 1 has the main shaft 2 journaled vertically in it,being held in upper and lower bearings by caps 3 and 4, respectively.Below this lower bearing this shaft has the crank 5 to which is pivotedthe connecting rod 6 adapted to be connected to the point rails of theswitch, not shown herein.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 1, 1915.

Serial No. 802,021.

Above the upper bearing, the main shaft 2 has, fixed on it, thefulcrum-head 7, said main shaft being supported by this fulcrumhead 7bearing down against the upper side of the upper bearing. The top ofthis switch stand 1 comprises the horizontal plate 10 which has slots 11and 12 diametrically opposite on a line through the center of the mainshaft 2; and the handle or lever 8 is adapted to engage in either one ofthese slots when the switch is completely thrown one way or the other.The handle or lever 8 has the ear 13 above its pivot 9, with an opening14: to receive the bow or shackle of a padlock to engage against theouter face of the fulcrunrhead 7, whereby the lever 8 may be lockedagainst removal from the slot 11 or slot 12 as the case may be.

It will be seen that the main shaft 2 is thus rotated 180 to throw theswitch; and the mechanism so far described is similar to previouslydisclosed apparatus in switch stands.

The semaphore column 15 is supported rigidly in upper and lower brackets16 and 17, respectively, which are bolted to the switch stand along withthe caps 3 and l, respectively, of the upper and lower bearings of theshaft 2. This column 15 is preferably hollow, being conveniently made ofiron pipe which has its lower end slipped into the lower bracket 17, andfits tightly in an opening in the upper bracket, where it has a bolt 18passed through it and the brackets, which reinforces the connectionbetween the column and bracket and prevents the column from turning.

The upper end of the semaphore column carries a fulcrunrblock 19 screwedonto it, in which is pivoted the semaphore-head 20 on a transverse pin21 passing through bifurcations 22 of the fulcrum-block and through alug 23 of the semaphore-head 20 which lug is between the bifurcations.This semaphore-head 20 carries the semaphorearm or blade 2% rigidlyattached to it between the longitudinal side flanges 25, so that the armand the head swing in a vertical plane. The arm extends toward the trackand the head 20 has another lug 26 at the side of the fulcrum-block 19away from the track. The semaphore-operating rod 27 has an upperconnecting head 28 with bifurcations 29 which receive the lug 26 betweenthem, and a bolt 30 passes through the bifurcations and the lug, therebypivoting.

on the plate 10' for the fulcrum-head 7.

This pivot 37 is concentric with the pivot 9 of the switch-operatinglever or handle 8. Projecting from the side of the semaphoreoperatinglever 36 toward the switch-operating lever 8 is a'boss 40 that carries alug 41, and the switch-operating lever 8 has a slot 42 that receives thelug 41, whereby the semaphore-operating lever 36 is moved along with theswitch-operating lever 8, the two levers swinging together on theirconcentric pivots 9 and 37.

The lower bracket 17 has a bifurcated fulcrum-lug 43, receiving, betweenits bifurcations, one end of a link 44 which fulcrums in the lug on atransverse bolt 45. The other end of the link 44 has the lower end ofthe primary connecting rod 46 at one side, and the lower end ofthe-secondary connecting rod 47 at its other side, both pivoted theretoby a transverse bolt 48 passing through the rods and link. The upper endof the secondary rod 47 is received between the bifurcations 34 of thelower connecting head 33 on the semaphore-operating rod 27, and ispivoted thereto by a transverse bolt 49 passing through the bifurcationsand through the rod. The upper end of the primary rod 46 has a reducedthreaded part 50 which is screwed into a connecting head 51 and heldrigid therein by a lock nut 52. This connecting head 51 receives thestud 53 which is provided near the lower end of the semaphore-operatinglever 36 opposite to the boss 40 and lug 41 thereon. Thesemaphore-operating rod 27 and the other connections are so proportionedthat when the switch-operating lever 8 is down in its vertical positionand the semaphoreoperating lever is in a corresponding position, thesemaphore-head and arm will be in suchrposition that the arm slantsupwardly out toward the track, thus signaling safety, but when theswitch-operating lever 8 is raised to horizontal position, out of theslot in the plate 10, carrying the semaphore-operating lever 36 to acorresponding' position, the semaphore-head and arm will be tilted sothat the arm is in substantially horizontal position, thus signalingdanger. It will be seen that the link 44,

combined with the primary and secondary connecting rods, causes theserods to transmit the motion of the semaphoreoperating lever to thesemaphore-operating rod and thence to the semaphore-head and arm.

The threaded connection of the semaphore: operating rod 27 to its upperand lower heads 28 and 33 allows of adjustment of the length of thisconnecting element thus made up; and the threaded connection of theprimary connecting rod 46 to its head 51 allows adjustment of the lengthof this connecting element. 7

The fulcrum-block l9 has a lateral extension 54 in which is journaled avertical lamp shaft 55 with a lamp segment 56 fixed on it and meshingwith a segment 57 on the semaphore-head 20, this segment 57 preferablybeing integral with the head. The upper end of the lamp shaft 55 has astud 58 so shaped as to be suitable to receive a signal lamp to turnwith it. A hood 59 is bolted to the extension 54 of the fulcrumblock andsurrounds the lamp shaft 55 and the segments 56 and 57, the top of thishood forming an upper bearing 60 for the lamp shaft 55. This hoodprotects the mechanism from the weather; and to protect the pivotalconnection of the semaphore-head 20 with the fulcrum-block 19, the headis provided with lateral arc-shaped flanges 61 on its sides, extendingout over the bifurcations '22 of the fulcrum-block 19, to shed the waterand prevent its entrance between the lug 23 and these bifurcations 22.

Preferably, the semaphore is designed so that the arm in its upwardtilted position is at an angle of 45 with its lowered horizontalposition, so that the semaphore head and arm thus have an angularmovement of 45, the various parts being proportioned accordingly, so asto obtain'this degree of movement from the movement oftheswitchoperating lever 8 and semaphore-operating lever 36 through anangle of 90. The lamp should be rotated through an angle of 90, and,therefore, the segment 57 of the semaphore-head 20 is made of twice thepitch diameter of the lamp segment 56.

When the switch is to be thrown, the first action of the operator, afterremoving the padlock from the ear 13, is to bring the lever 8 to ahorizontal position, swinging on its pivot 9, and with its upper end,carrying' the car 13, moving down into the interior of the fulcrum-head7. When this lever has reached this horizontal position it is completelyout of the slot 11 or 12, as the case may be. This lever 8, togetherwith the fulcrum-head, now make up the operating lever of the switchstand; and they are swung around over the plate 10 through the required180, whereupon the handle or lever 8 is dropped into the slot 12 or 1.1at

the other side, as the case may be. I

As shown in the drawings, the switch stand is so designed that when thelever 8 is in the slot 11 it will have closed the switch and a safe orclear signal will be required of the semaphore. Now, as the lever 8 israised out of the slot 11, it will raise the semaphore-operating lever36 with it as before described, which will result in swinging thesemaphorehead and arm down through the 45 required to effect the changeof signal from safe or clear to danger. This completion of the change ofsignal will occur just as the lever 8 reaches its horizontal positionout of engagement with the sides of the slot 11. Then the switch may bethrown, the lever 8 being brought around to the other side of the standand dropped into the slot 12 thereat.

While the mechanism so far described insures that the semaphore will beoperated from safe to danger position before throwing of the switch iscommenced, it will not, in itself, prevent throwing of the semaphoreback to safe position before the switch itself is thrown back to suchposition. It will be seen that it would be possible to operate thesemaphore by means of the semaphore-operating lever 36 itself after theswitch-operating lever 8 had been disengaged therefrom. To prevent thisoperation of the semaphore mechanism independently of theswitch-operating mechanism, I provide a segment 62 on the fulcrum-head7, concentric with the shaft 2; This segment is so positioned that whenthe fulcrum-head is in position to permit the lever 8 to occupy the slot11, the segment will have a terminal part 63 a short distance away fromthe semaphore-operating rod 27 just above the upper bracket 16; but whenthe operator commences to swing the fulcrum-head 7 around in thehorizontal plane, this part 63 will approach the rod 27. To properlyengage with the upper side of the segment 62, a keeper 64 is secured onthe semaphore-operating rod 27 Preferably, the rod 27 is separated toreceive this keeper 64, the lower end of the upper main section beingscrewed down into the top of the keeper, and the shorter lower section65 being screwed up into the bottom of the keeper,

and these sections being fixed by means of lock nuts 66 bearing againstthe upper and lower sides of the keeper. This arrangement avoids thenecessity of threading the rod from its lower end up to the region wherethe keeper is to be, but at the same time the keeper may be adjusted upor down on the rod sections to a sufficient degree for this purpose.This keeper 64 has a flange 67 extending out from the rod 27 far enoughso that it may engage with the segment 62 if the fulcrum-head 7 has beenswung around as above described. This keeper 64 is adjusted to such aposition on the rod 27 that it will stand very slightly; above the levelof the upper side of the segment 62 when the semaphore has been thrownto danger position; and the terminal part 63 of the segment 62 being soclose to the rod 27 and the flange 67 of this keeper, it will be seenthat as soon as any appreciable rota- 70 tion of the main orswitchoperating shaft 2 occurs, this segment 62 will begin to obstructthe path which the keeper 64 would be compelled to follow, along withthe rod 27, in a return movement to return the sema phore to safeposition. The segment 62 extends around from its terminal party 63 tothe other side of the fulcrum-head 7, where it merges with the side ofthe fulcrum-head, as seen in Fig. 1. Thus, the so segment 62 willobstruct the return movement of the semaphore-operating connection whilethe switch-operating mechanism is in any position around its 180 oftravel, clear up to the extreme other position with 5 the lever 8 in theslot 12. It will not be possible to return the semaphore-operatingmechanism to safe position until the switch-operating mechanism has beenbrought entirely back so that the switch is safely closed. I

It will be understood that when the switch-operating lever 8 returns inits horizontal position, the semaphoreoperating lever 36 will be foundalso in horizontal position, and the slot 42 in the lever 8 will receivethe lug 41 of the lever 86; and then when the switch-operating lever 8is brought down to vertical position, the semaphoreoperating mechanismwill be operated back, bringing the semaphore back into safe position asthey switch-operating lever 8 is brought down into position for lockingagain. It will not be possible to lock this lever 8 until the opening 14in the ear 13 has been brought far enough out of the fulcrum-head 7 toadmit the shackle of the padlock. Not until this has occurred will thesemaphore have been brought completely into clear or safe position. Itis thus seen that the operator is compelled to bring the semaphore intosafe position before he can lock the switch; so that display of dangerby the semaphore when the switch is safe'may also be prevented, as wellas the more serious irregularity of displaying safety when the switch isopen, which is prevented in the manner above described.

It will be noted that, until the lug 41 of the semaphore-operating lever36 is entirely withdrawn from the slot 42 in the switchoperating lever8, it is impossible to operate the semaphore independently of theswitchoperating lever 8, even though the segment 62 has not come withinthe path of the operative connection to the semaphore. Thus, doubleprotection is afforded at this period of the operation of the switchmechanism, amply guarding against false removal of the semaphore fromdanger position,

mechanism may be incorporated in such a.

i the link.

even though the segment 62 should fall somewhat short of promptlyperforming its duty in this period of the operation' Ihave illustratedand described a switch stand requiring a rotation of the main shaftthrough 180, but since the semaphore mechanism is completely operatedbefore the operation of the switch mechanism is commenced, it isimmaterial what degree of movement the switch stand mechanism requiresin throwing the switch. Some switch stands require a rotation of themain shaft through only 90, and others may involve more or less degreeof rotation, but my improved semaphore operating and locking switchstand with the parts properly proportionedfand will operate correctlyaccording to the principle herein set forth in such a switch standmechanism.

As shown in Fig. 1, the fulcrum-lug 4:3 is formed on top of the lowerbracket 17, but, for convenience in providing for both right hand andleft hand switch stands, such a fulcrum-lug may be formed on the side ofthe bracket. Thus, as shown in detail in Fig. 7 the bracket 17 v mayhave companion lugs 68 on opposite sides, andthe link 44 may extendacross the top of the bracket and have a shank 69 extending down betweenthe companion lugs 68 on the bracket, and the bolt d5 may passtransversely through the lugs and through the shank of If the switchstand is to be of reverse construction, this link may be shifted to theother side with its shank 69 between the lugs 68 on that side of thebracket 17*. l Vith'such provision, the only part requiring a differentpart to be substituted for it will be on the fulcrum-head 7 with itssegment 62. This fulcrum-head, to operate on the other side, requiresits segment placed diametrically opposite.

M The above details are particularly referred to in order to make clearthe illustration of my preferred construction. However, it will beunderstood that such details may be altered, and various other minorchanges may be made, without departing from the scope or spirit of myinvention as set'forth in the following claims: I claimv 1. Incombination with a switch band and a semaphore thereon, amain-switchoperating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft torotate it, a switch-operatinglever pivoted .in the fulcrum-head, astationary plate having a slot, said switc lroperating lever beingreceived in theslot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot inthe fulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of thefulcrum-head and main shaft, a vertically movable semaphore-arm,meanssupporting the arm for vertical movement, a semaphore-operatinglever pivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operatinglever, means for operative engagement between the switch-operating leverand this semaphore-operating lever, whereby the two levers swingtogether during the initial movement of said switchoperating lever, andoperative connection between this semaphore-operating lever and thesemaphore-arm, whereby said arm is completely operated during saidinitial swinging of the switch-operating lever.

'2. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitchoperating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft to rotateit, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, a stationaryplate having a slot, said switchoperating lever being received in theslot and requiring to be initially swung onits Y pivot in thefulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of thefulcrumhead' and main shaft, a vertically movable semaphore-arm,.meanssupporting the arm for vertical movement, a semaphore-open ating leverpivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operatlng lever,means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever andthis semaphoreoperating lever, whereby the two levers swing togetherduring the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, a semaphoreoperating rod connected to said arm, and operative connection betweenthe semaphore operating lever and the semaphore-operating rod, wherebythe armis completely operated during said initial swinging of 7thswitch-operating lever.

3. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitch-operating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft torotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, astationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever beingreceived in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot inthe fulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of thefulcrum-head and main shaft, a vertically movable semaphorearm, meanssupporting the arm for vertical movement, a semaphore-operatingleverpivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever,means for operative engagement between the switch-operating operatedduring said initial swinging of the switch-operating lever.

4. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitch-operating shaft, afulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft to rotateit, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, a stationaryplate having a slot, said switch-operating lever being received in theslot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot in thefulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of thefulcrum-head and main shaft, a vertically movable semaphorearm, meanssupporting the arm for vertical movement, a semaphore-operating leverpivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever,means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever andthis semaphore-operating lever whereby the two levers swing togetherduring the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, operativeconnection between said semaphore-operating lever and said arm, wherebythe arm is completely operated during said initial swinging of saidswitch-,

operating lever, a segment on said fulcrumhead, and means comprised insaid operative connection to engage with said segment and preventoperation of said arm independently of the operation of theswitch-operating lever during removal of the switch-operating lever fromits initial position.

5. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitch-operating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft torotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, astationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever beingreceived in the slot and requiring to be initially swung on its pivot inthe fulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation of thefulcrum-head and main shaft, a vertically movable semaphorearm, meanssupporting the arm for vertical movement, a semaphore-operating leverpivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever,means for operative engagement between the switch-operating lever andthis semaphore-operating lever, whereby the two levers swing togetherduring the initial movement of said switch-operating lever, asemaphore-operating rod connected to said arm, operative connectionbetween said semaphore-operating lever and said semaphore-operating rodwhereby the arm is completely operated during said initial swinging ofsaid switch-operating lever, a segment on said fulcrum-head, and akeeper on said semaphore-operating rod, adapted to engage with saidsegment and prevent operation of said arm independently of the operationof the switch-throwing lever during removal of the switch-throwing leverfrom its initial position.

6. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitch-operating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft torotate it, a switch operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, astationary plate having a slot, said sWitch-oppart of said column toswing in a substantially vertical plane, a semaphore-operating rodpivotaly connected to said arm and passing downthrough saiduppercbracket, a semaphore-operating lever pivoted concentric with thepivoting of the switch-operating lever, means for operative engagementbetween the switch-operating lever and this semaphore-operating leverwhereby the two levers swing together during the initial movement of theswitch-operating lever, a link fulcrumed on said lower bracket, aprimary connecting rod from said semaphore-operating lever to said link,and a secondary connecting rod from said link to saidsemaphore-operating rod, below said upper bracket, whereby saidsemaphorearm is completely operated during said initial swinging of saidswitch-operating lever.

7. In combination with a switch stand and a semaphore thereon, a mainswitch-operating shaft, a fulcrum-head fixed to said main shaft torotate it, a switch-operating lever pivoted in the fulcrum-head, astationary plate having a slot, said switch-operating lever beingreceived in the slot, and requiring to be initially swung on its pivotin the fulcrum-head to disengage from the slot and permit rotation ofthe fulcrum-head and main shaft, an upper bracket and a lower bracket onsaid switch stand, said brackets being adjacent to the main shaft, asemaphore-column supported by said brackets, a semaphore-arm fulcrumedon the upper part of said column to swing in a substantially verticalplane, a semaphoreoperating rod pivotally connected to said arm andextending down through said upper bracket, a semaphore-operating leverpivoted concentric with the pivoting of the switch-operating lever,means for operative engagement between the switch-operating approachingsaid semaphore-operating rod when the fulcrum-head and main shaft arerotated, and a keeper fixed on said semaphore-operating rod above said.upper bracket, adapted to rise with the semaphore operating rod abovethe level ofthe upper surface of thelsegnient, and to engage downwardagainst the segment to prevent operation of said semaphore armindependently of the operation of the switch-throwing mechanism whensaid segment has approached said semaphore-operating rod.

8. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operatingelement movable inone plane and a semaphore-element movable in anotherplane, obstructing meanscarried by the switch-operating element, andmeans on the semaphore-element to engage with the obstructing means,

' justing said semaphore-operating element.

9. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operatingelement and a semaphoreelement, part of the switchoperating elementbeing initially movable in a plane substantially parallel withthe lineof movement ofthe semaphore element, a bracket on the switch stand, alink, a fulcrum for the link on the bracket, a rod connected to thelink, and disengage-able means pivotally' connecting said rod tofsaidpart of the -switch-operating element, and another rod connected to saidlink and to said semaphore element.

10. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operatingelement and a semaphore element,partof said switch- Copies of thispatent may be obtained for operating element being initially movable .ina plane substantially parallel to the line of the bracket below its top,an angularly extended shank on said link, and pivotal connection betweenthe shank and one of I the extensions on the bracket, whereby the linkis pivoted at the side of the bracket below the top of the bracket, butextends across the top of the bracket to receive said operativeconnections, and whereby said link is reversible on the bracket for thisshank to have pivotal connection with the extension on the other side ofthe bracket.

11. In combination with a switch stand comprising a switch-operatingelement 7 and a semaphore element, part of said switchoperating elementinitially moving in a plane'subst'antially parallel to the line ofmovement of said semaphore element, an auxiliary element movable withsaid part of the switch-operating element while it is initially moving,but disengageable from said part after the initial movement, a bracketon the switch stand, a link, operative connection from the link to saidauxiliary element, operative connection from extension on the bracket towhich said link is pivoted.

CLARENCE PERDEW, Janus N. RAMSEY.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington,I). O. V

the link to said semaphore element, and an

